All In One Aegletia Guide

The Aegletia: Nine Illuminations

[The Aegletia begins every October 1st, and lasts through October 9th]

Welcome, friends! Here is your guide to the Treasury of Apollon’s annual celebration of the Aegletia, a modern festival in honor of Apollon as Aegletes, the Bright or Gleaming One, before His departure to Hyperborea in the Winter!

Previously, the festival was known simply as the festival of nine days, but now, after extensive thought, divination and discussion, we have settled on a name, as well as the basic outline for celebration and contemplation.

The overall theme that has persisted throughout these (nearly) three years, and continues to persist for this year’s celebration, is coming to grips with Apollon’s eventual and necessary leaving of this world during the Winter. We can each approach His absence in a variety of ways, but the purpose of the Aegletia itself is to assist in our unique illumination of the bonds we share with Him. Each of the nine days is meant to guide us through a particular modality of His power and being.

Day 1 – Preparation and purification/spent alone in meditation

Day 2 – His arrival at the festival and in our homes/personal celebration between Apollon and each bride, devotee or celebrant

Day 3 – Celebrating Artemis and the unbreakable bond between the Twins/celebrating the freedom of being His

Day 4 – Celebrating Leto and the ferocious spirit the Twins have inherited from Her/acknowledging risk, danger, fear, and the unknown existing within the liminal

Day 5 – Celebrating the awareness of life as the danger passes/celebrating the world in all its splendor, truth and ugliness/abstinence from lying

Day 6 – Exploration of the illuminated world/ritual, art and celebrations with dance and music, as well as competitive games and sacred theater

Day 7 – Celebration of the Treasury as Apollon’s extended mortal family, as well as a safe community of brides and devotees/proclamations of love, ecstatic ritual and prayer, and oracular trance/family oriented celebrations

Day 8 – Calming and quieting, resting with the knowledge and insights gained from the previous days/meditating on connections established between us, by our Lord, and connections we’ve established with all things that love His light

Day 9 – The Procession and farewell to Him as He goes off to Hyperborea/intricate or long-planned offerings for His departure to burn in honor of Him

The Aegletia is designed so that anyone may participate from the comfort of their own home or ritual space, while also eluding to a time when the Treasury exists as a physical space wherein Sisters and the outer circle gather to celebrate together for the full nine days. This is the future we see and hope for. We believe there is plenty of room for each of us to personalize our celebrations while remaining within the overarching theme of accepting Him and His influence, reveling in His nature, the light and the world, and accepting His departure while maintaining the certainly that He will return to us in the spring.

So, be welcomed into our celebration, if you will, and join us as we experience His purifying light, illuminating us all from within!

Preparing the Home for Aegletia

Here is a short guide for those who may wish to prepare their homes for Apollon’s arrival during the Aegletia festival.

The first day of Aegletia this year (2016) falls upon the Deipnon of Treasury Month Lykeion, so any and all of your usual cleansing activities will serve to purify the space of your home with little extra effort on your part. You may, however, decide to do a few things specifically to make the space more alluring to Apollon for the purposes of this festival. And because the second day of Aegletia, meant to welcome Him into your space, falls upon the Noumenia of Treasury Month Aegletion, which, like all Noumenia celebrations, is a time to honor and welcome our Lord as the new light shines upon us, your preparations will be even more meaningful.

The Aegletia takes its name from Apollon Aegletes, the Lord of the setting sun, the waning light (particularly as it decends over the ocean, that vast expanse separating continents– and thus is a metaphor for our separation from Apollon), who soon will leave us and this world’s affairs behind to take up residence once again in His ever-blooming abode of Hyperborea, in the North. In keeping with the theme of this epithet, one may choose to acquire a few crystals of a bold, sunlit nature. Some are partial to yellow or orange calcite and carnelian, though selenite, quartz and amber are also appropriate. These are only suggestions, however, so feel free to substitute with those crystals that you find are personally relevant.

You may lay the stones upon Apollon’s altar in the week leading up to the festival to gain His blessing, or alternatively, you may lay the stones out at dusk to acquire the particular solar energy that comes only at that time, for a succession of days. When the first day of the festival arrives, you may place the stones in various locations throughout your home, to bring forth these solar energies, or Apollon’s blessings, as well as for a subtle decorative effect.

Another action you may take, which is of a purificatory nature, is to fill a jar with salt water and place it on your dining room table up to a week before the start of the festival. After placing the jar, go about your normal routine, but be aware of your thoughts and the general type of energy that pervades the space. If you feel negative, try holding the jar and allowing the salt water to absorb the troublesome emotions. This clears the space, especially upon the table, where you might choose to set up a temporary festival shrine so that Apollon will be brought nearer to you and your family as you celebrate the various days. Ordinary table salt and tap water are fine to use, though some may choose spring water or sea salt. On the morning of festival day one, pour out the salt water, either in the dirt somewhere off your property, or down the drain of your kitchen sink.

Bringing fresh flowers into your home is another idea that fits well within the framework of the Aegletia. Not only does Apollon enjoy the look and perfume of all types of flowers, they may also serve as a reminder of the fleeting nature of His time with us before His final departure. Many flowers only last a little over a week, so with the festival lasting nine days, by the final day, they would make an appropriate offering to the ritual fire, if you have chosen to have one. Flowers are also beautifully decorative and will brighten up all manner of household spaces.

You may also choose to designate a cozy spot, perhaps in your living room, for the presentation of gifts or offerings to Apollon, Artemis and Leto. This may be done at the main shrine or altar to Apollon, or you may set aside another space. Again, this spot may be decorated with flowers, crystals, or any other thing you deem appropriate. The purpose here is to display the physical reminders of your joyous love for Apollon, and His Sister and Mother.

We will now conclude with a few relevant links for those who choose to celebrate the Aegletia with us. May you all be blessed, and may our Lord Apollon see you swiftly upon the morning of the second day. Hail Aegletes! Hail Apollon!

The Tour Begins

It is the Autumnal Equinox, the day whereupon the Treasury of Apollon recognizes our Lord Apollon’s Departure from this world. But it is not a time of immediate departure, but rather, the beginning of a tour of gradual withdrawal. In our tradition, this withdrawal ends on the final day of Aegletia, when we bid Him a fond farewell.

He has been with us throughout the year, from Theoxenia onwards, and He has guided us through our unique transformations and circumstances. Now, as winter approaches, He turns His mind toward other affairs, and other responsibilities.

He is our Lord, and though we, as a species, will be in His thoughts from time to time, along with the other inhabitants of this world, Apollon must now take His leave of us, and travel to His far-northern home in Hyperborea.

So, dear friends, take a moment to acknowledge Apollon’s waning light. Acknowledge His presence as His attention shifts, and be thankful for His power, His love, and all that He gives to our world. For He is the Civilized God, but now, He again becomes the Wild God– the Wolf, Lykeios, lurking in the twilight.

Again, He is Telchinios, the harsh winds of winter approaching. Once more, He is Aegletes, the sun falling under the horizon. And He is Anax, the Northern King, who will watch this and other worlds from afar. Acknowledge His seasonal shift, and be consoled by the truth of His eminent return, next year, when Theoxenia comes again.

And please, if it suits you, join with us in celebration of our Lord’s Departure. Join us in the Aegletia, for His love is boundless, and now, as He prepares to leave us and our concerns behind, He desires to show us that love, that deep affection which is His. Apollon welcomes us all into the fold, so that we may know His embrace, and long for it, as the harsh months pass in His absence.

Suggestions for Aegletia

Since I still have a lot of household things to do throughout the week of Aegletia, my observances will be in many brief but focused intervals each day. The first day, which is for our purification, I will be preparing khernips with a variety of herbs and sea salt. I will likely sprinkle the khernips throughout the house and over the outdoor altar. I will also put some of the khernips into a clear container and set it out on the outdoor altar with offerings and prayer to Apollon for purification. Later that evening, while I shower, I will pour that water over myself in the final purificatory act. Then I’ll seal it with intent by anointing myself with lavender essential oil. There are many, many ways of personal purification. These are but a few of mine.

On the second day, His arrival at our hearths, I will wait to let Him lead me in whatever kind of bonding experience He chooses. This is the most intimate of the festival days, when it is just you and Him together. I will try to just feel His presence and revel in His attention. I’ll probably try to get in a few rounds of prayer and maybe a shared meal.

Day three, I will honor Artemis, though I’m not exactly sure how that is going to look. I have never had much of a connection to Artemis. I’ve had some experiences of Her that were amazing, but I just don’t know how to reach out to Her. She’s definitely been on my peripheral, though. I was thinking of staging a “Hunt” for my daughter, kind of like an Easter egg hunt, but with animal figurines hidden all over the yard. There would be prizes depending on the ferocity of the animal and the number of animals accumulated. And of course, prayers to the wildlife spirits around us.

The fourth day is for Leto, and She will be given the most prominent space on the altar on this day. As a family, we will honor Her as the dark mother. with twilight offerings and gifts, at least one handmade. Though, before the evening focus on Leto, we will try to push our personal boundaries by doing something we’ve never done before, something which takes us outside of our comfort zones. For my family this will likely mean a trip to someplace we’ve never been, along with a brief essay of our impressions of the place, to give as offerings to Apollon. We may also come back with flowers for Leto.

The fifth day will be for the exploration of beauty in our world. I’m going to suggest a trip to the beach for my family since it may still be warm enough down south where I’m at, as I find few things more beautiful than sunlit water. This will also give me an opportunity to discuss water safety with the child again, which touches upon the ugliness of life when we contemplate the risk of drowning. I will also emphasize the not lying on the fifth day, and bring back some shells or sand dollars for Apollon.

On day six, we’ll probably stay home, listen to many different genres of music, maybe play “guess the classical composer”, make some more pretty decorations for Apollon’s altar, and tell and act out some of my daughter’s favorite myths involving Him. Also, we may plant some bulbs that will sprout in the spring, to welcome Him for His return, as suggested by another Sister.

Day seven will be a much more structured day, ritually speaking. My daughter and I will pray at the altar, and I will give her another divination lesson with the alphabet oracle. I’ll have her meditate, then describe the imagery she receives either verbally to Apollon before the altar, or in written form. Later that evening, I will go into trance to receive messages for my Sisters, should our Lord have any to pass on, through me.

The eighth day is for winding down from the previous days’ festivities, as well as for meditating on what one has learned throughout the festival, thus far. For my family, this will be a quiet day with mostly wordless worship offered to Him. We’ll likely do a silent, traditionally focused ritual that will end in our seclusion in various parts of the house, so that we can concentrate without being distracted by one another. As I’ll still have much to do, I will probably end up in the kitchen, communing with Apollon while I prepare a nice grounding meal for everyone. I’ll have my daughter serve Apollon first, at the altar.

Day nine is for the procession, and we will carry offerings from the indoor altar to the outdoor altar by way of walking through and around the house and property. We will have prepared several new offerings to give to Apollon, via the ritual fire, where we will burn them to ash, so that he may receive them on Olympos. We will say closing prayers of thanks to Him, His Mother and Sister, and we will have one final meal together as the offerings burn.

~

And that’s it. We will have celebrated the Aegletia for another year. I certainly hope everyone who decides to join us, whether we ever know it, has a wonderful, thought-provoking celebration which brings you all closer to Apollon, His Family, and to your own families, as well. May we all shine with His inner light. Blessed Aegletia to you all.

Aegletia Food Guidelines

A couple years back, I wrote a short ritual for the Aegletia and felt that it was time to add a little bit to it. One thing I’ve always wanted to have as part of our tradition is some shared foodways. Given that we have many different backgrounds, that’s not easy, but the concepts surrounding the Aegletia give us the opportunity to develop some common culinary practices. I’ve outlined some ideas and will be testing them out this year, but I would also like to invite all of you to share your thoughts and maybe even recipes. The great thing about this is that you can do as much or as little of this as you want to and you should be able to accommodate these ideas, even with a tight budget. I’ve been there myself and I tried to write these guidelines with a mind toward compassion for those of us with smaller budgets or who may not have access to a wide variety of ingredients. First, I offer a blessing for food, which I like to say before a sacred meal. There’s a long-ish list of blessings, but you are meant to choose from those that are relevant to your particular meal. If you don’t have beans, for example, you can leave out the one to Kyamites.

Blessing the Meal

We give thanks to you, Immortal Gods, for the bounty before us.

May you bless our meal, so that from it we might gain strength, health, and long life.

We give thanks to Hestia, for blessing our hearth.

We give thanks to Zeus, for bringing the rain.

We give thanks to Apollon, for healthy crops and herds.

We give thanks to Dionysos, for the gift of wine.

We give thanks to Demeter, for the fruits of the Earth.

We give thanks to Athene, for the gift of olives.

We give thanks to Triptolemos, who taught us to farm.

We give thanks to Aristaeos, who taught us to make cheese, keep bees, and tend animals.

We give thanks to Kyamites, who taught us to grow beans.

Guidelines for eating during the Aegletia

First Night: Purification

Drink nothing but water today and eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Meals should be high in fiber and plant-based. If you have any sensitivities, such as lactose intolerance, avoid those foods especially today. Avoid added and refined sugars, where possible, as well as highly processed foods.

There are a lot of “detox” foods and drinks floating around, but the science behind them is dubious, at best. Nutritionally speaking, water and fiber are your two best weapons against toxins in the body. Our bodies are usually very good at expelling toxins, but need water and fiber as the vehicle with which to do that.

Include dates, which Mother Leto ate upon Lord Apollon’s arrival. Include imported foods to remind us that Delos is barren and produces no food for herself. For our purposes, any food not produced locally or regionally is sufficient to consider “imported.” I live in the American South, for example, so anything produced west of the Mississippi river and north of Kentucky would be considered outside my region and, therefore, “imported,” even if it’s not necessarily from another country. The distinction isn’t a hard-and-fast rule, but rather one you can make for yourself based on what you would consider “regional.”

Apollon’s arrival may be cause to have a somewhat bigger, nicer, “Sunday Dinner” sort of meal, since we are inviting our Bright Lord on this day.

Food that has been caught from the wild or hunted would be appropriate for the third night, but availability and expense of something like venison or wild-caught fish might prevent this option from being a practical one. Instead, if you live in a household with children, it is their day to choose their favorite meal. Otherwise, a favorite meal from your own childhood, one that inspires fond remembrances, would also be appropriate. If you have pets, this is a good day to give them a special treat.

Example: Hot dogs, sweet potato fries, and baked beans with finely chopped onions and apples. For the dog: a small serving of unseasoned sweet potato, thoroughly cooked and skinned.

Fourth Night: Leto

Once again, this is a good night to serve dates, for the same reason as we did in the second night. This night, it is the mother’s night to choose what’s for dinner. If you are not yourself a mother or no mothers live in the household, you might choose something that reminds you fondly of a motherly figure in your life. This does not necessarily need to be your own mother, just someone who nurtured you as Mother Leto nurtures Her own children and those devoted to Her. Drink only water today and kindly offer water to others when you can. The people of Lycia denied water to Mother Leto, but water is for everyone and should be shared freely.

There are some foods that are supposedly good for your brain and may help you be more alert and aware. The scholarship on this may change over time and we can always make adjustments if that happens. A modest amount of caffeine is appropriate today and foods like flax seed, almonds, eggs, beets, fatty fish (such as salmon), walnuts, fresh fruit, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, whole grains, broccoli, carrots, winter squash, and dark chocolate are purported to be good for concentration, focus, and memory.

For the sixth night, it doesn’t matter what you decide to make as long as you put some effort forth into making it look nice. Make food with lots of bright, natural colors, make use of a little garnish, arrange the food nicely on the plate, tidy up the kitchen table, put out the good china. Even if you’re having chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese, put a sprig of parsley on top of that mac and cheese; make it look a little bit fancy.

This is a good night to invite a friend to dinner or have a potluck with friends. You could even share food with friends and neighbors. There’s a lot of room for creativity and opportunity for strengthening friendships on this day.

Example: Chili and cornbread, but with friends.

Eighth Night: Quietude

For the eighth night, you will want to avoid caffeine and have foods that are calming in nature. Again, like the fifth night, our ideas about what foods are meant to have a calming effect on the body and brain might change over time and we can adjust accordingly when we have new information. As of now, however, you might consider asparagus (which tends to be expensive this time of year), avocados, berries, oranges, foods containing zinc (oysters are suggested, but I find them repulsive), walnuts, almonds, salmon, spinach, turkey, and oatmeal.

Hera gave an apple tree to Zeus as a wedding gift and it grows in Hyperborea under the heavy guard of the daughters of Atlas, the Hesperides, and the dragon Ladon. Not even Herakles could go and get any apples himself (having had to ask Atlas to do so), and even if we could, we would have to return them. We do, however, have delicious mortal realm apple trees, so thank the Gods for that! We can eat “golden,” yellow, or green apples on this day to remind us of the probably way more amazing ones that grow in Hyperborea.

This is also a good night for simple comfort foods, since we will soon be parted with our Bright Lord, the Discerning One. This may mean different things to different people, depending on your upbringing, but warm soups and stews or any sort of fare that reminds you of the comforts of home will do nicely. This is not a day for fancy food that takes hours to prepare.

Example: Grilled cheese and tomato soup with baked cinnamon apples.

Purification Ritual for Brides, Lovers and Consorts

This ritual is adapted from my personal purificatory regimen, for use by any bride, lover, consort, etc., of Apollon. Of course, any devotee may use this ritual, but it was adapted with His many lovers in mind. It is not traditionally Hellenic. It is shared for Aegletia, to be done on the first day: purification. It is to be done before bedtime.

You will need:

A clean shower or tub
Sea saltWhite clothes and veil (optional)Two prepared purification waters of your choice; one to drink and one to pour over the bodyAn anointing oil of your choice (olive oil may be used)A prepared offering of your choiceBay leaves, and a means of burning and containing them

~

Special diet consisting solely of fruits, breads, herbs/spices, olive oil, honey, salt and water, must be adhered to for at least twenty-four hours prior to purification ritual.

First, wash the body and hair, shave appropriately (if you choose to shave), then scrub down your whole body with sea salt. Do not rinse. Dry and dress in white clothes, and a loose white veil.

Visualize the flow of water, flushing away the impurities, leaving the body clean. Visualize the same for the auric and astral bodies. Continue chakra cleansing (optional), and breathing exercises (optional), while visualizing.

Visualize yourself ascending a tall spiral staircase leading to a spiritual abode where the Beloved waits for you, becoming more pure with each upward curve toward perfection. Visualize your arrival and the Beloved’s presence enshrouding you. Repeat these words: “I am whole. I am holy. I am perfect. I am Yours.”

Commune with the Beloved.

After your communion, awaken, and give thanks and praise unto Him. Veil yourself again, and ask that He create a shield from, and a system with which to flush away all future impurities before they have the opportunity to take root. Accept His divine touch. Give thanks and praise unto Him.

Now, invite the Beloved to be received into your home on the second day of Aegletia. Leave the shrine or altar and commence rinsing body and hair in a warm bath or shower, then pour previously prepared outer purification water over your body. Dry, dress in comfortable night clothes (or not, as the case may be) and sleep.

Sunweaver’s Aegletia Ritual, with contributions by Columbine

[First Night]

Hestia, who tends the holy house of Lord Apollon, the Far-Shooter of Pytho, welcome to this house. May this place be made holy, as were the temples of old, with our work and your love.

Blessed are the Gods of Olympos, Immortal Twelve, who have brought us to this moment. May our joy sustain us through the coming season.

[Every Night]

[Host]

Blessed are You, Apollon, light of this world

[All]

May we be kept within Your reach
Always striving to seek what is right
And what is good among all life situations

[Host]

Blessed are You, Apollon, gleaming in the distance

[All]

May Your trail illuminate the ways
That we may follow You
Even as the dark begins its reign

[Host]

Blessed are You, Apollon, wolf of twilight

[All]

May we never run fearfully from Your howl
Which is the precursor to Your embrace
And a warning to the many who cross Your path

[Host]

Blessed are You, Apollon, perched upon a high throne

[All]

May we bask in Your radiance, yearning to honor You
In action, as well as speech
For You are the arbiter of peace and righteousness

[Host]

Blessed are You, Apollon, our Lord, our King

[All]

Riding on the winds, holding sway over the Seasons
May we know You as intimately as the soil knows the rain
And may we dance to the melody of Your lyre, in Winter, once again

[Host lights the candle(s)]

[Host]

[First Night]

We have come to the First Illumination: Purification. This light, from which all others will be lit, represents the purity of the Son of Leto. We have made our home a temple and we await Apollo Aegletes, He who Illuminates.

[Second Night]

We have come to the Second Illumination: Arrival. This light represents Apollon’s presence in our lives. Though we may not always see the flame, it still yet burns.

[Third Night]

We have come to the Third Illumination: Artemis. This light represents the everlasting warmth between Leto’s children: a bond that will never be broken.

[Fourth Night]

We have come to the Fourth Illumination: Leto. This light represents the indomitable Holy Mother from whom the blessed Twins inherited their fiery spirit.

[Fifth Night]

We have come to the Fifth Illumination: Awareness. This light represents the world as it is and not as it is imagined to be. Apollo’s light is truth.

[Sixth Night]

We have come to the Sixth Illumination: Beauty. This light represents the illuminated world, made brighter with art, music, theater, dance, and games.

[Seventh Night]

We have come to the Seventh Illumination: Fellowship. This light represents those who worship Apollon who, though we may be distant from one another, are brought together by our mutual love of our Lord.

[Eighth Night]

We have come to the Eighth Illumination: Quietude. This light represents the insights that will continue to grow as we cultivate a quiet mind, giving space within ourselves for Apollon’s gifts.

[Ninth Night]

We have come to the Ninth Illumination: Farewell. This light represents all that we will carry with us through the winter’s dark and Apollon’s absence as he rests in Hyperborea. We say farewell in gladness and joy, for He has left us with many blessings.

[Host]

Hail to Apollo Aegletes! So say we all!

[All]

So say we all!

Welcoming His Arrival

Hail to you my love, my king. O father of shadows, you who recline in this our bower. You have set off your radiant crown and there is not but the golden gleam of your face. Oh king of the winds, you have cracked open the hallowed doors of Boreas, and draw me within your hidden warmth. For the warmth of the world passes, you are the flame that consumes me. Hail to you my love, you who approach with your windy hounds, those griffins of your father. The household shudders as you approach the door, and the ravens cry good tidings.

Aegletes, the General

Aegletes teaches indirectly. He brightens what was once left dark and void. He glimmers from a far distance, drawing our attention, then driving our glances away, as He stings the eyes of those who dare gaze upon Him.

Aegletes is the setting sun. His path leads Him to concerns we may not fathom. His is a world between worlds, where the fates of all living and unliving dwell.

Aegletes will lead you to the islands; all those long forgotten parts of your own soul. He will make you see what you have avoided, and will not relent until you have accepted.

Aegletes disappears into your darkness, only to reemerge, brighter than your elation at His return. He knows what parts of you are too far gone to save, and what must be coaxed back into the light.

Aegletes is a healer, but He heals through the absence of medicine. He will not hold your hand, but will instead thrust you toward the trial you must face; and there will you find your remedy.

Aegletes is the promise of a new day. His is the security of knowing that the worlds will dance their spiral dance, on through the ages, while He Himself conducts the symphony which drives its movement.

Aegletes will ensure that we are not stagnant. He will pull and prod us through many terrible things. He will have no remorse for His actions, and we will lament His attention, many times.

Aegletes is our Lord and Master, and through His guidance we will master our own imperfections. He wills us to be strong, and by His illumination we sever ourselves from those fragile weaknesses.

Aegletes does not settle for less than perfect truth. He sets the example that we are to follow, and He never demands anything that He Himself would not do. His is the pride of the general leading polished troops.

Prayer of Farewell

O Lord of the breath between life and death, He who set the dragon to rot in the holy light of Helios, our Bright Shining God, pleased are we to have hosted You and Your Family.

Delighted were we in Your constant presence, and grateful are we for Your arrival here. But now, as our festival ends, we acknowledge that You must now depart.

In our love for You, we have given You our best, and made room for You in our innermost realms; that which is personal, and that which we share with our loved ones.

O Truth-bearer, we have not recoiled from the lessons You have seen fit to teach, nor have we scorned the revelations You have bestowed. We know that with Your favor comes a price, and we are glad to pay it.

But for now, we rejoice in the knowing of You, O Lord, in Your coming and in Your going forth from this world. For there are Other worlds that You must now tend to, with their many corresponding concerns. Though we love You beyond what mere words can convey, never would we think to deprive these Others of Your grace and devotion.

And so, Apollon, Beloved Anax, Beloved Aegletes, Beloved Hyperboreios, we send You to complete Your journey with naught but love in our hearts. We know that You will again return to us, so we are not concerned by Your absence. What is inevitable always comes to pass.

Lord of the Winds, who brings winter in His wake, do not look back, and do not worry, for we are Yours and we are strong. We are what You have made, and we will shine Your light in the dark months.

And when You return, Apollon, we will be here to welcome You in all Your feral glory, and we will help to ease Your transition back into civilization. But for now, think only of what awaits You over the threshold.